RODRIGUEZ IS FALCONS' LITTLE BIG MAN; FEARLESS SENIOR INSPIRES TEAMMATES.

Byline: Chris Cocoles Daily News Staff Writer

Of all the big plays turned in by Imad Rodriguez this season, one of the favorites among Palmdale High School's coaching staff was hardly a blip on anyone's radar screen.

With the eventual Golden League champion Falcons playing at Quartz Hill, the Rebels punted before fourth down, hoping to get a favorable roll and some much-needed field position.

Rodriguez, playing in his customary free safety spot, backtracked and ran down Hiram Johnson's kick on the fly. He gained just four yards before being tackled, but it might as well have been a 90-yard touchdown return.

``It probably saved us 20 yards with the bounce,' Falcon defensive coordinator Steve Lockhart said. ``He ran all the way back there to catch the ball. On the next play, we scored a touchdown. That's the most impressive play he's made to me.''

There is an endless list of runner-up performances, including when he returned a punt and interception for touchdowns against Verbum Dei in a September nonleague game, and a game-preserving interception at Antelope Valley. Rodriguez has four interceptions on the year.

Since he first arrived at Palmdale as a short and skinny sophomore transfer from Kennedy High in Granada Hills, Rodriguez has made his mark as one of the school's best defensive backs and punt returners during coach Jeff Williams' seven-year tenure.

``(Kennedy coach Bob) Francola said we were getting a pretty good player,'' Williams said. ``And here comes this little guy. He was about 5-2 then.''

Rodriguez spent that 1995 season on the junior varsity, but he earned a postseason promotion and learned what it took to be a varsity player.

``I was a little nervous. But I still wanted to get in there and play. It was a great experience,'' said Rodriguez, now grown into a not-so-imposing 5-foot-7. ``When I was in the Valley (at Kennedy), it was all about speed. But once I got to Palmdale High School I realized how much stronger I had to be. It's much more physical football up here.''

Rodriguez is a two-year starter who is strong for his size, which might serve as an ally when the Falcons host Diamond Bar Friday in the first round of the Southern Section Division II playoffs.

``His size probably helps him,'' said Matt Leonard, Palmdale's standout defensive lineman. ``I think teams take a look at him and think, `This guy's not very good.' It's comforting for us up front to know that Imad's back in the secondary not giving up anything deep.

``I think he could cover two receivers at the same time.''

It usually takes multiple tacklers to run down Rodriguez when he's returning punts. And rarely does he let his opponents off the hook with a fair catch.

``He's probably had only three fair catches all season,'' Williams said. ``He's not afraid to be hit. We don't keep track of punt-return yardage but he's gained a lot.''

Said Rodriguez, ``I don't like to fair catch, because it takes away any opportunity for me to make something happen. I know when it's third-and-10 I can look forward to stopping the other team and get my chance to return another punt.''

Williams knows all about defensive backs who double as effective punt returners. Besides being a former safety and cornerback himself, Williams played at Purdue University with San Francisco 49er Rod Woodson.

``When I played with Rod, he was fearless just like Imad is,'' Williams said. ``When you give them the ball, they're capable of making something happen. We put Imad on offense whenever needed. He has a nose for the ball. You can't coach that.''

Rodriguez always wanted to be a running back like his boyhood hero Walter Payton. But he seems to have found his niche on the opposite side of the ball.

``I've always been smaller than the guys I've played with,'' he said. ``I don't worry about the size of other players. I just try to hit them hard. I remember the opening kickoff against Antelope Valley last year. I hit (former Antelopes' standout) Tony Walker in the legs and he went right by me.

``I want to be like him. Everyone knows Tony Walker. I want to be able to go into the mall and have everyone say `Hey, that's Imad Rodriguez. He's that punt returner and safety from Palmdale.' ''

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PHOTO Palmdale's Imad Rodriguez (No. 5) and Ty Chiaro tackle Saugus receiver Chad Garrett.

Shaun Dyer / Special to the Daily News